Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

U.K. Arrests 'Fluffi Bunni' Hacker
AP ^ | April 29, 2003 | Ted Bridis

Posted on 04/29/2003 6:21:09 PM PDT by Shermy

WASHINGTON - British authorities arrested a man Tuesday believed to head a group of hackers known as "Fluffi Bunni," which used a stuffed pink rabbit to mark attacks that humiliated some of the world's premier computer security organizations.

Fluffi Bunni captured the attention of the FBI just days after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, when thousands of commercial Web sites were vandalized with a single break-in that included the message, "Fluffi Bunni Goes Jihad."

The FBI characterized the act in a November 2001 report as an anti-American cyberprotest against the war on terrorism.

Lynn Htun, 24, was arrested by Scotland Yard detectives on outstanding forgery charges while attending a prominent trade show in London for computer security professionals, InfoSecurity Europe 2003, authorities said.

British authorities did not mention of Htun's alleged hacking. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Htun is wanted in America in connection with a series of high-profile hacking cases blamed on Fluffi Bunni. Investigators believe Htun was the group's leader and referred to himself as Fluffi Bunni, the official said.

Authorities in London indicated they would release more information Wednesday about Htun's arrest, although the continuing investigation into Fluffi Bunni hackers was sensitive and other arrests could be possible.

Fluffi Bunni embarrassed leading Internet security organizations by breaking into their own computers and replacing Web pages with a message that "Fluffi Bunni ownz you" and a digital photograph of a pink rabbit at a keyboard. The attacks, which began in June 2000, lasted about 18 months, then stopped mysteriously and created one of the Internet's most significant hacker whodunits in years.

"I thought he'd never be caught," said Jay Dyson, a consultant who formerly helped run one of the victim Web sites. "He was clever and had the patience of a saint. The targets he chose were ones that were really high profile, and ones you'd think would be above reproach when it comes to issues of security."

Victims have included the Washington-based SANS Institute, which offers security training for technology professionals; Security Focus, now owned by Symantec Corp.; and Attrition.org, a site run by experts who formerly tracked computer break-ins. Other victims included McDonald's Corp. and the online security department for Exodus Communications Inc., now part of London-based Cable & Wireless (news - web sites) plc.

"The guy was playing a game of `gotcha.' He wanted to prove that even firms that specialize in security can be hacked," said Mark Rasch, chief security counsel for Solutionary Inc. and a former Justice Department (news - web sites) cybercrime prosecutor. "It's like someone who robs banks to prove that banks can be robbed."

Brian Martin, who ran the Attrition site with Dyson and others, said Fluffi Bunni quickly generated a fearsome reputation across the underground because of the group's choice of targets. Martin determined that a hacker broke into another user's computer, allowing him to assume that person's digital identity and briefly take over the Attrition site with a Fluffi Bunni message.

"He would break into companies that are there to secure you," said Martin, who never reported the crime to the FBI. "It's a challenge, and there's some irony behind it."

Targets frequently were attacked indirectly. Instead of trying to break into the heavily protected Security Focus Web site, someone hacked an outside computer that displayed advertisements on the site. The ads were replaced with taunting messages and images of the pink rabbit at the keyboard.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Crime/Corruption; Free Republic; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: fluffibunni

1 posted on 04/29/2003 6:21:09 PM PDT by Shermy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Shermy
Targets frequently were attacked indirectly. Instead of trying to break into the heavily protected Security Focus Web site, someone hacked an outside computer that displayed advertisements on the site. The ads were replaced with taunting messages and images of the pink rabbit at the keyboard.

Big deal. "Fluffi Bunni"'s antics don't measure up to Rayn's stunt (they keep warning it's "not work safe", and they're justified).

2 posted on 04/29/2003 6:39:13 PM PDT by Pyrion
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pyrion
Ah yes, the goatse guy brings humor to all!
Do not click on that link unless you have a high tolerence for sick stuff.
3 posted on 04/29/2003 6:40:49 PM PDT by Saturnalia
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Pyrion
YIKES!
4 posted on 04/29/2003 6:46:17 PM PDT by eddie willers
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Saturnalia
I think I've seen that picture so much that I'm immune to it. ;)
5 posted on 04/29/2003 6:46:33 PM PDT by Pyrion
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Pyrion
Wasn't a warning for you, warning was for the people who blindly click on anything.
Of course, by the time they read this,
they will be looking to remove their eyes with steel wool.
6 posted on 04/29/2003 6:52:32 PM PDT by Saturnalia
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Saturnalia
I know.

That's why I repeated the warning of it not being "work safe".
7 posted on 04/29/2003 6:54:07 PM PDT by Pyrion
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Shermy
What ...???

They arrested MadIvan?

8 posted on 04/29/2003 6:59:22 PM PDT by BluH2o
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pyrion
oh.... my..... goodness.....

Bet the guy in the pic is a liberal.
9 posted on 04/29/2003 7:15:12 PM PDT by Tamzee (I wondered why somebody didn't do something. Then I realized... I am somebody! - Anonymous)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Pyrion
You nailed two so far.
10 posted on 04/29/2003 7:50:05 PM PDT by Saturnalia
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Shermy
"I thought he'd never be caught," said Jay Dyson, a consultant who formerly helped run one of the victim Web sites. "He was clever and had the patience of a saint. The targets he chose were ones that were really high profile, and ones you'd think would be above reproach when it comes to issues of security."

Since I've already been asked, yes...that's me.

woo-woo.

-Jay

11 posted on 04/30/2003 1:00:36 AM PDT by Jay D. Dyson (Terrorists of the world, RISE UP! [So I may more easily gun you down.])
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BluH2o; MadIvan
>>>What ...???

>>>They arrested MadIvan?

Shame on you...... ^_~

12 posted on 04/30/2003 6:36:58 AM PDT by 4mycountry (The wonderful thing about taglines, is taglines are wonderful things......)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: BluH2o
I'm not a hacker.

Regards, Ivan

13 posted on 04/30/2003 6:39:09 AM PDT by MadIvan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Pyrion
Bump for reading after work, then.
14 posted on 04/30/2003 10:38:46 AM PDT by Tennessee_Bob (Dieses sieht wie ein Job nach Nothosen aus!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: MadIvan
I'm not a hacker.

Yeah, that's what they all say.

Come with us, mister...and don't talk to the other boys and girls.

;)

-Jay

15 posted on 04/30/2003 2:33:57 PM PDT by Jay D. Dyson (Terrorists of the world, RISE UP! [So I may more easily gun you down.])
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Saturnalia
Man! That guy has a problem. I almost barfed.
16 posted on 05/01/2003 9:34:43 AM PDT by dljordan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson